Political Advocacy Paper

NURS 471 Community Health 2

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to allow the student the opportunity to complete an in-
depth analysis of a health issue in order to serve as an advocate for community health nursing
and consumers. Students are expected to present a sound logical argument regarding the issue.

Student Approach to Assignment

Advocacy is an integral part of a nurses responsibility. This not only includes advocacy
for our individual patients in acute care but advocates for the health and welfare of our
community as a whole. Our education provides nurses the opportunity to influence not only
hospital policy regarding healthcare related issues but state and federal legislation as well.
Through this assignment I was able to examine the proposed bill: H.R. 628: Guaranteed Health
Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions Act of 2017. This assignment afforded me the opportunity
to conduct research regarding the populations affected by this bill and the importance of its
enactment on the health and welfare of the community.

Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio

This required portfolio assignment met core competencies outlined in the communication,
research, and leadership sections. I believe this assignment demonstrates an important aspect of
advocacy in the community. Nurses have a responsibility to advocate for the health and welfare
of the community as a whole and political advocacy is an important component of this.

Communication
Access and utilizes data and information from a wide range of sources to enhance patient
and professional communication.
Example: Throughout this political advocacy paper, I utilized a wide range of data
and research from nursing and non-nursing related sources to support my position on
the proposed H.R. 628 bill. The data accumulated from these sources was used to
support my persuasive writing in the paper itself and to support my letter to my local
senator. Nursing related research showed the importance of properly managing
chronic conditions to improve health and decrease health care cost associated with
complications. Political related research evaluated number of people with pre-existing
conditions that would be affected by the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the
impact of such action.
 Research
Shares research findings with colleagues.
Example: After a review of the literature was conducted regarding the impact of pre-
existing medical condition exclusions in health care coverage, the data was utilized to
write a persuasive paper in support of my selected health care bill. Following the
conclusion of the paper, my research finding were utilized to create a formal letter to
the senator discussing the importance of the bill in todays health care system and
requesting support.

Professionalism
Advocates for professional standards of practice using organizational and political
processes.
Example: Throughout this political advocacy paper, I utilized numerous research and
data sources to support my opinion that the Guaranteed Health Coverage for Pre-
Existing Conditions Act of 2017 should be passed following the potential repeal of
the Affordable Care Act. Data regarding the enormous impact of allowing such
exclusionary conditions was discussed in detail. After researching the subject
extensively, I was able to compose a letter to my local senator explaining the impact
and importance of this bill and asking for their support of this piece of legislation. I
believe that nurses have a responsibility to utilize our healthcare knowledge to
influence policy and legislation that affect our community.